Grading Criteria:

Exams                (3 @ 100 pts.) Homework        (various) Reaction Papers (2 @ 75 pts.) Attendance/Participation Research Participation

300 points 75 points 150 points 100 points Extra Credit ======== 625 points

All points are approximate and could change slightly in either direction.

A- to A = 90 % of possible points
C- to C+ = 70 % of possible points
B- to B+ = 80 % of possible points
D to D+ = 60 % of possible points
F = less than 60 % of possible points

In General Psychology we survey the science of psychology. We will look at many factors that influence mental processes and behavior. Theories of child and personality development, learning and motivation, cognitive processes, emotion, pathology and social influence will be explored. The text listed above is required for this course. Preparation for this class is important and to this end, I have listed the dates we will be covering each topic on the attached schedule. You are expected to read the assigned chapter before the first day of each unit.

Exams will be scheduled throughout the semester. There will be three exams which contribute a total of 300 points to the total grade. You will need a scantron 882-ES for each exam. These forms must be filled in with #2 pencil. You may write the balance of each exam in pen, which I prefer. There will be a way to make up some of the points you miss on exams by following a specific procedure that will be outlined in detail in class. You will earn back 1/2 of the points you miss, up to a maximum (usually 10 points total) as long as you do the work as specified. Exams must be taken on the day they are scheduled. If you have paralyzing test anxiety, I will allow you to take the exams in the Testing Center at the same time the class is taking the exam, but this must be arranged in advance. If you have documentation from Disabled Student Services that shows you need other special accommodations, please let me know immediately.

Various homework and activities are required. These must be turned in when due in order to receive credit. Exceptions will be made at the instructor's sole discretion and only with serious and compelling reasons. Requests for acceptance of late work must be made in writing with corroborating documentation. Their combined value is up to 75 points toward your final grade.

Reaction papers are a way of demonstrating to me that you are thinking critically about the course material. I am interested in how you feel about a given topic and the theories that we cover. You will write two of these papers, each at least two and one-half pages long. We will talk about where to find appropriate articles in class. You may write about a topic at any point in the semester, regardless of whether or not we've covered it. They are worth up to 75 points each toward your final grade. I deduct 10 points for each week they are late, if an extension is granted. See homework policy above for exception criteria.

It's my intention to assist your increase in comfort with writing in general with these assignments. Studies have shown that students with more practice writing are much better at it later in their academic careers. I strongly recommend that you write the dates of all of the assignments from the calendar in your datebook.

After finding a topic that interests you, copy the article. The article MUST be attached to receive credit. Write at least two pages explaining the concept to me and telling me why you think it's interesting. No more than one paragraph should be a summary of the article. The other at least two pages should express your own reasoned opinion about the topic. I require that you type these, use standard English, and avoid the use of discriminatory language (Don't use "man" when you mean "human", for instance). If you plagiarize, you won't get credit. Margins should be no larger than 1 inch, font size no larger than 12 point.

Do not plagiarize. Be sure to express your work as yours, and someone else's as theirs. Remember that rearranging someone else's words is still stealing them. Plagiarism is copying (or re-writing) someone else's work and claiming it as your own. Paraphrasing IS plagiarism. I expect that you will use proper APA form to cite the works you use. Look at the format used in your text book in the reference section for the best way to write citations. The American Psychological Association's standard is used throughout the social sciences. If you have questions about what a "proper citation" is, please ask ahead of time. The most common single deduction is failing to cite the article at the end of the paper as well as within the text. What I would like you to do is learn more about something and then use your own words to tell me about it so that I am convinced you understand the concept.

Reaction papers are important for several reasons. This is a survey course; we don't spend much time on any one topic. You can get a Ph.D. on just one chapter in this book, and in a couple of cases, on just a part of a chapter. By writing the reaction papers, you will get a more in-depth education on 2 topics than we would otherwise be able to cover. Second, because this subject is so broad, some topics are probably going to interest you a lot more than others. This is true for all Introductory Psychology, Page 3

Psychologists, and it's a good thing because it increases the breadth of the field of study. I want you to be able to spend time on what you like, because it will sink in better and be more relevant to you than if we just spend lots of time on what I like.

Congratulations! You have already earned 100 points toward your final grade. To keep them, all you have to do is be here, prepared and participating, every class day. Since we're all human, I'll give you two absences to play with without it affecting your score. I do not distinguish between "excused" and "non-excused" absences. These absences may include illness, family obligations, registration, sports events, sun/surf days, etc. as you prefer. If you miss more than two classes, absences will cost you ten points each. Being late may decrease your score by 5 points each time. It is your responsibility to sign in each class day. If you're late, be sure you get signed in. It is also your responsibility to get the notes from any missed classes from a classmate or teaching assistant. You keep the participation points by actively participating in small group activities and class discussions thereby demonstrating that you have read and understand the text. Positive attitude counts! Take an active role in owning the subject matter. If you are involved in campus activities such as athletics or forensics and will miss class due to your participation, please talk to me about how we can work together to solve this problem.

I welcome your participation in my class. My guidelines for this are simple. You are welcome to have your own thoughts on any subject we cover. So are your classmates. Please don't pick on anybody in here. School policy gives me the right to immediately suspend and/or fail any student for cheating, plagiarism or abusive behavior. My personal ethics require that I adhere to this policy. This syllabus is subject to change in extenuating circumstances. If you have a disability requiring special accommodation, please let me know immediately so that I can better assist your learning experience.

Research is one of the foundations of the science of Psychology. In keeping with long-standing traditions, students in Introductory Psychology are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Opportunities to participate are listed on the bulletin board upstairs in Harry Griffith Hall. Up to 10 Extra Credit points can be earned. To receive the credit, students must provide a written summary of the experience with verification from the research assistant with whom he/she volunteered. The guidelines for participation are included in the Experiment Participation document.